August 17, 2006

James R. “Jim” Glaze, who kept a close eye on all Alabama Baptist dollars flowing in and out of the State Board of Missions (SBOM) office for almost 30 years, died Aug. 10. He was 73.

Serving as director of business management and associate to the executive director of the SBOM, Glaze oversaw all financial and business matters at the state board until his retirement in 1998.

“Jim served alongside three executive directors … and he was loyal to each leader,” said Rick Lance, SBOM executive director. Describing Glaze as “a strong behind-the-scenes leader,” Lance said, “When I think of Jim, one word comes to mind — faithful.”

Troy Morrison, retired SBOM executive director, worked with Glaze for more than 20 years, 14 of which while Morrison was executive director.

“Jim Glaze was a Christian, and I counted him as a dear friend,” Morrison said. “He was trustworthy and honest … a man of integrity. I never had to worry about the money that came to the Baptist building. I knew that every penny would go to the place for which it was given.

“The state budget was serious business to Jim Glaze,” Morrison noted. “Alabama Baptists have lost a dear friend.”

Glaze, a member of McGehee Road Baptist Church, Montgomery, had a master of theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and an honorary doctorate from Mobile College (now the University of Mobile).

Before coming to the SBOM, he served as a pastor in Louisiana and Indiana and had previously served as chief of data reduction for Thiokol Chemical Corporation in Huntsville.